New Zealand wants a new flag, and it's going to let the people decide.
After receiving 10,292 flag design submissions from the interested public, many of which amused and horrified the world, the 12-person flag panel has whittled the country's options down to four.
The final contenders contain various symbols important to New Zealand such as the fern frond, the Southern Cross constellation and the koru, a design that represents new life, growth and strength in Māori visual language.
New Zealanders will be able to vote on the flag via a postal referendum later this year. Of course, there's the possibility that New Zealanders will stick with what they know and vote to retain their current flag.
Here are the official images showing the final four flag referendum choices in flight: #nzflag pic.twitter.com/2MOasBbia2— Luke Appleby (@lukeappleby) August 31, 2015
Here are the final four contenders.
Option 1: Silver Fern (Black & White) by Alofi Kanter.
Option 2: Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue) by Kyle Lockwood.
Option 3: Koru by Andrew Fyfe.
Option 4: Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) by Kyle Lockwood.
The final shortlist got a mixed reaction from New Zealanders, to say the least.
How NZ twitter probably felt when checking their timelines this morning #nzflag pic.twitter.com/Bd4kNlg6jy— Michael (@Johnsomich) September 1, 2015
Has this entire process just been one long elaborate practical joke? That's the only way to explain the #NZflag shortlist. Utterly awful— Neville (@1FightingIrish) August 31, 2015
We should have just gone with "We love the All Blacks" in comic sans with a smiley face emoji #NZFlag— Alessandra Rachael (@AlessandraRach) August 31, 2015
Some were sad other submissions didn't make the cut.
Damn, was really rooting for this guy #NZFlag pic.twitter.com/EnFIDLexFG— Lauren Mabbett (@LaurenMabbett) August 31, 2015
With #LaserKiwi not even making this elimination round, support plummets for #nzflag reality show. pic.twitter.com/Kgw8c8iRzq— Rangi Kemara (@Te_Taipo) August 31, 2015
For the record, I'm still gutted that laser eyes Kiwi didn't make it. You don't stand for that one, it commands you! #NZFlag #NZFlagDebate— Greenie (@Greeniecg) August 31, 2015
Others expressed their disdain with PhotoShop.
Putting photoshop's generate flame to good use #nzflag pic.twitter.com/kmyrOoIw50— Ben Wright (@bwjwright) August 31, 2015
Many wanted to stick with the status quo, which some consider to be too similar to Australia's flag.
I like this one. #NZflag pic.twitter.com/oH66EHDrOl— Corpulent Tory (@SirWB) August 31, 2015
Those who want to keep the current flag will be feeling more relaxed now after the release of the mediocre top 4. #nzflag— Lorna Johnson (@lornaajohnson) August 31, 2015
While a few New Zealanders found their design sensitivities profoundly injured.
First the banknotes, later today the #nzflag. This is not a bright and shiny day for NZ design. Not at all.— gerbrand van melle (@gvanmelle) August 31, 2015
Today is a dark day for New Zealand design. #brightermoney #NZflag— Thomas Le Bas (@thomaslebas) August 31, 2015
Let us never forget what could have been.
